FIFA President Infantino Makes Personal Plea to Messi: 'One More World Cup'

Gianni Infantino has made an extraordinary personal appeal to Lionel Messi: play in the 2026 World Cup.

The FIFA president's request, reported by World Soccer Talk in early May 2026, adds significant public pressure on the 39-year-old forward who has yet to confirm whether he will join Argentina's squad for the tournament in North America.

What Infantino Said

Infantino expressed high expectations for Argentina's performance, saying:

"They will play very well, that's for sure."

He also specifically addressed Argentina's fans, saying: "Argentina's fans are spectacular. They should come and enjoy it because they are already world champions."

The Deadline Looms

Messi has until May 11 to be included on Argentina's preliminary list of 35–55 players. Head coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to include him unless the player explicitly asks to be left out.

The final 26-man roster is due by June 1.

Legacy at Stake

If Messi plays, he would become the first player in history to appear at six different World Cups, breaking a tie with Germany's Lothar Matthäus. He already holds the record for most World Cup matches played (26).

Messi has been in strong form for Inter Miami, scoring his 900th career goal in March 2026 and leading the club to the 2025 MLS Cup title. But the decision is as much personal as it is professional — at 39, the physical toll of a World Cup campaign is immense.

Argentina fans around the world are holding their breath.